Everton youngster Harrison Armstrong has been enjoying a loan spell at Preston North End this season as he looks to continue his development as a player.
Everton had utilised their academy star in the Premier League last season, as well as this season’s Carabao Cup clash with Mansfield Town, where he registered two assists in the first-ever cup clash at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
That being said, midfield chances were a rarity under David Moyes, and Harrison Armstrong was promptly loaned out to Preston North End, where he has impressed massively at Deepdale.
But, with murmurs of a recall being on the cards in the January transfer window, Preston captain Ben Whiteman has played those down – by even claiming that the Toffees prodigy has told his North End teammates that he wishes to stay.
Preston North End star Harrison Armstrong celebrating.
Photo by Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images
Ben Whiteman says Harrison Armstrong has told Preston teammates he wants to stay at Deepdale
Speaking after Preston’s 1-1 draw against league leaders Coventry City, who are flying under former Everton boss Frank Lampard, Whiteman was asked about Armstrong’s potential future at Deepdale.
But, instead of conceding that the youngster may be on his way out of the central Lancashire outfit, Whiteman claimed that Armstrong has told Paul Heckingbottom’s squad that ‘definitely’ wants to stay with Preston currently occupying fifth place in the Championship table.
Whiteman said: “Yeah, I think Harrison mentioned it again in his press conference, didn’t he?
“So, what’s best for Harrison? Listen, I’m no manager, but Harrison’s playing every week. He’s loved by the fans. He’s loved by the lads in there.
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What would be the best decision for Armstrong’s development? 😬
Harrison Armstrong on possibly returning to Everton in January.
Credit: Getty Images/Alex Dodd – CameraSport.
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“Why wouldn’t you want to stay? And he definitely does – we’ve had numerous chats about it. He definitely wants to stay. But again, it’s taken out of his hands. Is he going to go and get the required game time at Everton this season?
“Not so sure. Can he go on and have a real impact for us this season at the back end? Certainly so. If I was looking at Harrison and managing Harrison, which I am not, I’d tell him to stay.”
It seems a surefire case that Armstrong will remain at Preston for the remainder of the season, though you can never say never in football.
Harrison Armstrong would have featured heavily for Everton throughout December
Of course, chances up until November would have been tough for Armstrong to come by, with the likes of James Garner, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Idrissa Gueye all performing incredibly well for the Toffees in their midfield ranks.
However, Gueye’s bizarre red card vs Manchester United in late November, and his subsequent departure for the Africa Cup of Nations, has created a huge vacuum in the Toffees’ midfield.
If Everton were to recall Harrison Armstrong in January, how would David Moyes’ starting midfield look? 👀
An overview of Harrison Armstrong's performance for Preston vs Wrexham.
Credit: Getty Images/Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport.
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James Garner is walking a tightrope on four yellow cards, with one more meaning he’ll be suspended for one game in the Premier League. Tim Iroegbunam has only just returned from that exact ban, and with Merlin Rohl still suffering on the sidelines, it would have been the ideal move to fit Armstrong into the midfield.
He’ll have his credentials tested as Preston aim for the play-offs this season, but he appears to be passing with flying colours and if the Lilywhites are promoted to the Premier League for the first time in their history, they may struggle to keep him if David Moyes sees fit to utilise him.
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